Arts Books

I cannot thank the author enough for such a warm, inspiring and eloquent presentation of how connection to life itself can be deepened through acts of blessing.
I am not an avid reader of spiritual texts -- I am a RABID reader! This book is opening up undreamed of potential in my spiritual life and will be a true companion to me for years to come.

Recently I had the privilege of visiting with David Spangler at a conference and to experience his practice of blessing! It feels like the love of a lilting song, the light of the sun, and a clearer view of the world. In this book Spangler guides the reader with wisdom and love gained from his years of experience, expression, and expansion.

Blessing demonstrates with many examples how much difference a blessing can make. Blessings do not require physical presence; they can be received thousands of miles away. They do not require a special religious belief. A blessing from the essence self travels instantly to its destination.

In Blessing we realize that we simply cannot make this clear connection with anyone without rising into greater light ourselves. David Spangler makes it easy to connect the best and highest part of our being with that of another.

Do not be surprised if you find yourself standing in the splendor of the soul when you practice sending blessings. It is healing for everyone involved. This practice would be a great addition to the Temple of Healing in Healing Yourself with Light: How to Connect with the Angelic Healers

Whether you are giving or receiving a blessing, the joy is deep and fulfilling. I urge everyone who would like to experience greater love within and without to read this book and begin practicing the art of blessing.

When we want to help others in a gentle yet powerful way, this book makes it easy. I learned how to bless others, and also that I can bless my work, a project, a sacred space, the world, - the possibilities are endless. Yet he also explains when a blessing is not the most effective gift in certain situations. It isn't something done casually, but with intent and awareness. Giving or sharing a blessing is both simple and rewarding, especially when two people sit together and invoke a blessing. We can also offer blessings at a distance. Time and space do not affect this divine energy.

The exercises are quite useful and can be used by one person alone, two people, or even with a group. This book offers so much that can enrich our everyday life and is easy to read and understand. I felt like David was talking directly to me, and offering me a blessing also.

My suggestion: get this book to enjoy the blessings it will bring to you and your friends

This book has excellent content but poor print quality. I contacted the publisher-Riverhead/Penquin Putnam and they told me to return it to them. I received a replacement and it is no different. They wanted me to return it to Amazon but I contend that it is not Amazon's problem. It is indeed a print quality issue which should be addressed by Riverhead.

Do you remember when you exchanged a "moment" with a stranger and saw a twinkle in their eye that shined from them so brightly that the rest of your day went so well you were "totally great"? That because the light that you saw was actually a reflection of your spirit coming back to you in joy? David Spangler shares this in this amazing treasure chest of thoughts, ideas and helpful exercises to allow us all an opportunity to become that blessing to ourselves and others,to enter that "blessing space."
On page 17 he explains that the art of blessing is the practice of being connected to each other in the most amazing way because we all have this space inside us readily available.When we discover this and "realize it" a beautiful thing happens and that gift to each other...is our "self." By accepting the love that flows through us we effortlessly receive blessings, give blessings to others and become a blessing in and of itself. I ask a blessing for the thought of a "radiance of blessings" as David Spangler shares Dr. Brugh Joy, his friend and colleagues special thought, to shower us with light and love! A blessing that will appear as a Rainbow of humanities love for its "self."

This book is really helping me prepare for navy basic. It's a great buy, especially used. It made it to my house within 48 hours of ordering it.

Book arrived on time and in great condition. If you know someone who is about to go to basic training for the US Navy, then this book is a great way for them to prepare. Is it necessary? No. Does it help a lot and make their life easier to be prepared? You better believe it.

I highly recommend it.

Helped my son greatly improve his score on the OCS exam. Arrived quickly and in excellent condition.

This is a required book once you enter the Navy. More than enough information is in the book that will help you on your daily journey in the Navy. It is good to for those that are just interested in the Navy atmosphere. This book will be one that is given to you once you join the Navy. The information will help you in your test taking for promotions as well but it doesn't go into very much detail of the different ratings due to security clearances required for some of the jobs.

As soon as my common package mailbox freed up, the USPS finally delivered my 22nd edition Bluejackets Manual along with another package. It was in pristine condition with an NROTC GA TECH label on the back. I doubt that it had even been used since there was no "used book" label on it. If it had been used by a midshipman, I would not want to serve under him when he got his commission because the Bluejackets Manual issued to me in boot camp showed signs of much more use when I was done with it.

After days of a dry spell, in trying to figure out a design problem; I started to flip through this fabulous book. Maya Lin's Boundaries; is a book that is food for the soul of an architect. Ironically, the title of the book is Boundaries, but the whole essence and poetic journey allows for one to see the world with out "Boundaries".

Traveling through each project, Lin is able to take us from her thought process through a complete execution on each project. She is so delicate in describing each event, from growing up, the Vietnam memorial, to her goals in the future. The reader can travel with her, through each process, struggle, and creating architecture that is able to resonate within it's setting.

Thinking with her hands, Lin describes each event, each challenge, and solution, allowing for the the reader to gain an inside, touching the souls of what every architect and designer needs.

There are two ways to read this book, as Lin points out in the preface. First is just as a coffee table picture book. In that role, "Boundaries" gives a photographic tour of many varied monuments and installations. Lin is best known for the Vietnam Veteran's memorial. At the time, it was an unprecendented look and a deep controversy. Since then, I think it has become what Lin had hoped: one of the most personally involving war memorials ever. Lin has moved on since then, and this book shows many of her more recent works.

Although her family heritage is Chinese, Lin identifies herself as American. That gives her the freedom to use concepts from many Asian traditions. Many of her later works show a sense that I see as Zen-like. They are centered on stone, water, earth, and light. Like that first memorial, they invite the viewer to touch and become involved in the work. "Waves", for example, is a large-scale earthwork to be explored, offering surprising privacy in an open, sunlit lawn.

The second reading of this book comes from its text. It explains Lin's approach to her work. I was quite surprised to fined out how important collaboration is for her. Most of her installations are undertaken with archtitects, writers, or preparators of various kinds, quite opposite the 'lonely artist' stereotype. I was also surprised to learn that her first conception of most pieces is narrative, not pictorial. To me, translating word into image and structure is a complete mystery. My own thoughts work in the other direction. That difference intrigues me.

The book itself is a pleasant artifact. It's well printed, well organized, and displays some thoughtful, unusual typography. It's a vehicle well suited to the material it carries.

"Boundaries" was printed in 2000. That means that the catalog of Lin's work has developed since then. More of her work surely exists that was locked out by the publication date. I look forward to the next book documenting her work, and I look forward to her future development as an artist.

This book accomplishes for me what Maya Lin set out to do - it provides a well of knowledge that I keep coming back to. I have shared her philosophy with friends and family providing a direct and intimate dialogue with her work.
I first came across 'Boundaries' while doing research on public controversy and sculpture. I felt that I was listening to Lin's voice and began to understand why she depicted the works as she did. I was drawn to the simplicity of her designs that left space for human participation. When the book had to be returned to the library I had to have a copy for myself to continue my understanding of her works.
The aesthetic set-out of the book draws the viewer into the designs with more understanding. It is not just a coffee table book, but one that encourages one to rethink and revalue ideas.

Sometimes I felt really sad that I don't have enough money to bring this book home.Maya lin should be an architect who can be also known as a good writter.Her writting had combined both beauty architecturally and verbally,like a stream of purity norished readers'heart,explained her designs with pleasure of sights.She got similar passion as her famous aunt lin huiyin,composed a melody of life,mastered the way a human being might uneasy to see.I am appreciated her way of representation.That she inheritaged from Lin's family.She absolutely knew that poetics in their family traditions,a symbol of very special abilities.

Maya Lin's "Boundaries" is both creative and stimulating.

This book is not an autobiography and it is not an art book, but rather an extension of Lin's work. Many know Lin for creating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and like the memorial "Boundaries" provides a medium-both public and private-to observe and interpret what we sometimes don't even consider.

If you like photography, architecture, or simply wish to know more about an idea behind one of Lin's works then this book is for you. I love the format. It is easy to read and the pictures are of high quality. The pages are numbered from 1:00 to 12:00 and each chapter starts with a new hour. "Boundaries" is refreshing- it's truly unique and inspiring.

It is surprising, as I find, that the wonderfully and skillfully photographed young male nudes of the Bel Ami series of books seem to have so little popularity in English Canada (no longer regularly available even from that paragon of gay literature distribution, Little Sisters in Vancouver, from the few times that I have checked that firm's WWW site in 2005 and 2006), but, thankfully, Bel Ami's products remain fairly easy to find in such major gay-populated Québec cities as Montréal. (Bel Ami, on its own WWW site, includes some items that are unavailable even on the various national Amazon sites.) The youthful men, in their teens and early twenties, photographed very often in full frontal nudity, are equisitely lithe, graceful, lovely, and agreeably or outright impressively "well-hung", each memorably good-looking in his own way that varies from one to another, some "lean and lanky" while others more sleekly and/or heavily muscled in a more forthrightly macho way, still others, by contrast, more endearingly pretty (sweetly juvenile, lovely, and tender), yet others just a bit raffish or lovably gangly rather than so classically handsome as many are, yet all of Bel Ami's lads being memorably appealing.

This book, also known by a longer title, "Howard Roffman Meets the Boys of Bel Ami", takes a memorable selection by George Duroy (who was filming these lads for one of his moving images projects) of Bel Ami's achingly beautiful young males to on what Howard Roffman, the photographer, refers as "eight glorious days [in 2004 at an holiday spot in] ... the lush seaside resort city [of] Capetown, South Africa" where they appear singly, as couples, and in groups, often interacting variously as posed or behaving spontaneously for the camera, by turns affectionately, and/or playfully, usually delectably "buck naked" (but occasionally lightly and sexily partially clad). These photos make an even greater impact in their larger format in the hardback edition than they do in the paperback reprint of smaller page size.

Whether one prefers Roffman's book or Benno Thoma's also copiously large collection for Bel Ami, entitled "Around the Globe" (which features among Thoma's naked lads some of the same male models in Roffman's book) probably is largely a matter of taste, e.g. a preference for mostly colour photography (Thoma's) or entirely black-and-white camera work (Roffman's), or for the sensibility of one photographer over the other's; both books and the young men posing mostly nude therein, are exquisitely lovely examples of erotic photography at its best.

While I prefer some of Bel Ami's youths in its various films and books to others of them (e.g., my very favourite being slenderly sinewy Ken Christy, of winsomely soulful gaze, whom I like to call "the Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy 'kid look-alike'", whose photos appear only occasionally in some of the books and in at least one video, but, alas, not here in Roffman's "The Boys of Bel Ami" or in Thoma's "Around the Globe"), all have their undeniable charms. One hopes that the market for these books, for this one and others, especially those in the original series (there being a "new generation" of Bel Ami models that, to me, in general, is, on the whole, marginally less appealling) is not so poor that they all will disapper from print, as seems to be the fate of the various Bel Ami videos. All of the Bel Ami series, not least this title, deserve a gay man's attention and will generate sheer wonder at the beauty of the naked male form in the full flush of youthfully post-pubescent early maturity, posed and photographed splendidly.

There is a welcome avoidance in Roffman's "The Boys of Bel Ami", as there is also in Benno Thoma's "Around the Globe", of raw, lasciviously explicit, downright raunchy "action" photos that abound in (and too frequently mar) the often potentially equally serene beauty of young male models as such guys often have posed in more pornographic output of other producers, the sort of sheer lewdness Bel Ami (at least its books) rightly shuns. Nonetheless, there are some photos of the models in both books showing them with enticingly full erections, yet avoiding undue vulgarity. These guys often look to be on the verge of launching into anal or oral sexual penetration one of another, but the camera tastefully catches their affectionate play short of that, albeit barely at times!

This book is better than I expected. The men are really beautiful, and the images of them romping and playing is delightful. The one photo of a food spread is a bit confusing? It should have been a two-page centerfold, and believe me, all the men in the book are centerfold worthy. Nicely done. Tasteful and romantic.

Howard Roffman's photographs of the legendary beautiful men than appear in the Bel Ami films are stunning. The book is published in black and white and has over 200 beutiful photographs of perfect young nude men. They focus on the beauty of the natural human form, and thus are not erotic in the sense of gay erotic magazines. These beautiful men are captured at times of play or relaxation or meditation with very careful attention payed to lighting and form. The photographs are often sublime since the male human body in young perfection resonates throughout a gay man's eye, mind, body and soul. You will not be disappointed by this large format book of exceptional beauty.

If you're a real fan of the boys of Bel Ami this is the book for you, each photo is more amazing than the other, besides all of them are black and white, which adds extra beauty to them

I was a little concerned about the price of this photo-book, but it's well worth the money. This is Roffman's largest book, both in terms of length and heft. It's a "behind the scenes" look at a Bel Ami video shoot, staring at least seven (possibly more) of the Bel Ami models. The photography is incredibly well-done, and the models are absolutely beautiful. My only complaint is that the models aren't identified, but fans of Bel Ami will know who they are. This is a fantastic photo-book, and Howard Roffman is the luckiest photographer in the world!

I bought this book because I never had a chance to read when I was in school in Trinidad. I must say, for a first novel, the writer did an amazing job of painting pictures with words. Because it was written in a time before me, I learned something about the history of the island and also about the East Indian culture. A great read. I was so pleased that I bought two more books by the author.

Set in Trinidad during the second world war, the books tells of a young man named Tiger who was thrust into adulthood at a very young age. Selvon's book, viewed through the prism of the cultural and socio-economic times in Trinidad, is really a masterpiece and as the novel progresses, the inexperienced Tiger, from the cocoons of darkness, becomes fully aware of what it means to be a man, finding himself in a brighter sun.

I was introduced to this book through my high school literature class and thoroughly enjoyed. It's description of parts of early Trinidadian culture was my first glimpse into that world.
The story illustrates the social and cultural norms of the day and I read it with great curiousity.
Life has pushed Tiger and Urmilla into a new phase and we journey with them as they explore life and the small world in which they live.

I first read this book when I began teaching at a boy's school in Barbados 20 years ago, and I have ordered or taught excerpts of it to my classes in three other schools over the years. The book sets itself up for comparison between the two locations, London and Trinidad, and between the creole and the immigrant experiences. The stories range from the longer "Johnson and the Cascadura", which Selvon would expand into the later novel "Those Who Eat the Cascadura", to the stream-of-consciousness piece which ends the collection, "My Girl and the City", a style he would further explore in "The Lonely Londoners". Read separately or collectively, this is a delightful book of short stories that captures moments in time and for all time.

This book is absolutely brilliant. It captures the true multi ethnic fabric of Trinidadian society through the trials of an Indian boy struggling to make it in early 20th century Trinidad. This book brings to light many ethnic and cultural issues that are a now inherent part of Trinidadian life, and is not only a brilliant piece of literature that should be cherished, but a piece of Caribbean history.

This play arrived practically brand new (even though I bought it "used") and was exactly what I needed at the time. I even got a great price for it. Yea!

Fellow play readers say that this is one of the best plays they ever read. It made them weep, it changed their lives, it is the only the play they've ever loved. You can't argue with that. I have read this play several times myself, but for me it is a play that works but it does not work wonders. I am a great admirer of the Mel Brooks, Wood Allen, Neil Simon school of comedy. There should be a plaque on the Cross Bronx Highway alerting people that they are approaching the stomping grounds of America's greatest comedic generation. Of course, we know that it was the depression that incubated this batch of comedic geniuses. Simon, more so than the others, has mined this era, tapping his memories of love without any trace of irony or insight. His is one big sloppy family kiss on the forehead. Still his memories clearly are those of millions, and what seems corny and undramatic to one reader clearly has the power to bring others to tears. All the power to you, Mr. Simon.

I remember watching the movie version of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" years back and thought it was fantastic. Now, years later, I decided to pick up the play and read it.

As usual with the written version, there is quite a bit more detail in the play. Eugene is the story's main character, and while his family struggles with all sorts of family issues. His brother Stanley comes to him with his dilemma about possibly being fired from his job. His cousin Nora, her sister and her aunt Blanche all live with the Jerome family in their Brooklyn home. Eugene's main concern is dealing with the rigors of growing up--and winning the World Series for the Yankees. His character really comes out in the play; there is the sense of witty spirit that he has in dealing with his family and his own problems. Another great aspect of the play is the sense of family spirit it evokes, especially in troubled times, and you see that in the final act when Eugene's dad is able to talk some sense into his wife and her sister, but Stanley as well.

Neil Simon's ability to create funny and memorable characters and a story that is both insightful and humorous makes this a fantastic read. It is easy to see how this play got adapted into a full length film. This play is the first in a series of three plays covering the life of Eugene Jerome.

If you enjoyed this book, another great movie or book to check out is Biloxi Blues, which is the second installment of this series. If you watch the film, it stars Matthew Broderick as Eugene, and narrates his exploits as he goes into the military.

Easy reading, but also very meaningful for the family.

The first of his three semi-autobiographical plays about the "Jerome" family, Neil Simon's BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS takes place in Brooklyn, New York toward the end of the Great Depression. Fourteen-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome (Simon's alter ego) is the protagonist and narrator of the play. Struggling to find his niche among his large, extended family, Eugene writes his own witty observations about them in his journal, sharing them with us as he does so. Yet the focus of the conflict is on the older family members (including Eugene's parents, Kate and Jack; his brother, Stanley; his cousin Nora; and his widowed Aunt Blanche), all of whom struggle daily to make ends meet. Though a comedy, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS asks a serious question, one posed in earlier eras by playwrights like Clifford Odets and Arthur Miller: that is, how can one preserve one's morals and integrity in difficult economic times, when it is all one can do just to put food on the table? BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS is an affectionate though often painful family comedy; in it, Simon establishes characters for his two later "Jerome" plays, BILOXI BLUES and BROADWAY BOUND, while anticipating the impending WWII era, the setting for the former title.

Brighton Beach Memoirs is a play about a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in 1937. The boy's name is Eugene Jerome. The play is divided into two acts. The first act is one night in Eugene's house. The second act is a week later in his house. Eugene is growing up in a hectic and eventful household of seven family members. He writes memoirs in his journal about his family and different events occurring in his life. During the play, Eugene share's his own personal thoughts with the audience. This really gives the audience an inside look on Eugene's life. I reall liked having this inside view. It really kept me into the book. Brighton Beach Memoirs was a real page turner. I highly recommend it!

"There was a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. From Ceylon to the Americas, England ruled, bringing her lifestyle to Crown colonies around the globe.

Being stationed in India or Egypt, however, was no excuse to relax the standards of living to which British Army officers were accustomed. Living 'under canvas' did not mean roughing it. Instead, they brought their homes with them, packing cunningly constructed, portable furniture suitable for any elegant tented dinner.

Today, campaign furniture's elegance and simplicity have made it a must-have item for decorators and antique lovers. Nicholas Brawer's new book British Campaign Furniture: Elegance Under Canvas (Abrams) provides a fascinating history and a guide to collapsible decor."

I just had to have this book. The subject matter was unusual and touched on the social aspects of camp life in the British Army.
The pictures are fabulous.

This is an excellent review of British Campain Furniture.

Each piece is photographed in colour and/or Black & White, discussed and given brief measurements. The "disembled" photos are of great use to anyone who wishes to reconstruct any of the items from the book, as well as satisfying the just plain curious. Some of the gadgets are fantastic.

Unfortunately, like most books of this type, the author is limited by the pieces that he can access within a year or two. I know there were 'Campaign' folding rocking chairs, and I an certain that there are other examples of furniture, with other systems of assembly ( Louis Vouton made a folding-bed-in-a-trunk for the Brazza Expedition in Africa in the late 1800's which survives - there is a single picture in 'Treasure Chests').

I can only hope that the author will be encouraged to keep looking & photographing, and that we may see a second volume in years to come.

Sorry Amazon, you just don't have enough stars........

"If you were a British officer during the 18th or 19th century, your home had the look of a proper English residence, with desks, chairs, sofas, chests and fancy bedroom suites--even if you lived in a tent.

'The only real difference between fine household furniture and its campaign counterpart was that the latter could be quickly folded up, packed away in boxes, transported, and--without the use of nails, tacks or tools--reassembled...,' Nicholas A. Brawer writes in British Campaign Furniture.

How the furniture can be taken apart and stored is fascinating. One dining table and set of four padded chairs and a chaise lounge can be broken down into pieces that fit into two small crates.

There are pictures of the furnishings set up and stored. Often officers lived better overseas than at home. One cartoon depicts a British officer and his wife dining in their home overseas, with a half-dozen servants waiting on them, and then dining at home after retirement, with only one housekeeper.

Nearly half the book is a portfolio of the furnishings and detailed descriptions of manufacturers and furniture makers."

This book is a must have for anyone interested in English antiques, social, military, or naval history. I have never seen another book on this subject and it is filled with very interesting "before" and "after" photographs of dozens and dozens of pieces of campaign furniture "assembled" and "disassembled." I imagine this book has been a great hit in London.

I remember the national climb of Kinison in the early to mid 80's and saw his breakthrough showing on the Rodney Dangerfield young comic show and also Kinison's own HBO special that shot him to national prominence. This guy was a comic GENIUS of his time.
This book by his older brother and manager Bill Kinison is a very good insight to the man behind the comedy, shortcomings and all....

I happened to pass by this book at a book store a few years ago. I started to peruse the pages, and before I knew it, I was absolutely hooked. If you're into celebrity biographies, you will definitely love this one. You'll learn about Sam's experiences with various other celebrities and rockstars: his on-and-off again friendship with Howard Stern, his fascination and tumultuous affairs with porn stars and strippers (e.g., Seka and Jessica Hahn), his love for rock and roll, and best of all, his childhood and family and how he developed his trademarked primal scream.

Shortly after I read this, I happened to see the E! TV True Hollywood Story, which felt did not do the man justice, and didn't even touch on his last great love affair.

Not only this, but the book has transcripts of some of Sam's most popular comedy routines. If you loved Sam before, you'll love him even more with this book.

As I write this review, I'm sitting here listening to an old tape of Sam Kinison appearing on Howard Stern's radio show with Malika and Amy Lynn in 1991.

It's hard to believe that the upcoming April 10, 2006 will mark 14 years since the world lost its last true comic genius. In BROTHER SAM, penned by his brother and fellow preacher Bill Kinison, Sam's life from the humble beginning to the tragic end is recalled in full detail by a man who was by his side for the vast majority of it. While many books about standup comics turn into a simple recount of every but they'd ever performed by the halfway point, BROTHER SAM is different. All of the familiar names from Kinison folklore are here: Seka, Malika and Sabrina, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Rodney Dangerfield, Howard Stern, Jessica Hahn... the list goes on.

While the public perception of Sam is that of a screaming renegade former preacher that ridicules Jesus and runs around high and/or liquored up 24/7, Bill tells a vastly different story. Sam is presented as a man who is not perfect but loved those around him. He loves God just as he did while in the ministry but hates the hypocrisy of the Jim Bakker's and Jimmy Swaggert's of the world of money-hungry religion. He did drugs, drank like a fish, and had more women in his bed than most men could ever imagine, and yet after a couple of health scares in 1990 and 1991 he made the effort to slow down, reinvent himself, and turn his life around.

As a Kinison fan who has several of the classic bits virtually memorized, reading the final chapter entitled "Sounds of Silence" was incredibly difficult. It's in those final pages that Bill recounts his eyewitness account of Sam's final hours of life, including the head-on collision that took his life. The ironic twist is that the driver who struck Sam's car was, in fact, a teenaged drunk driver... and it's that fact that resonates with every Kinison fan to this day.

Sam's impact remains with everyone who ever enjoyed his work. When we see the commercials for hunger organizations, we all think (or say), "There wouldn't be world hunger if you people lived where the FOOD IS! YOU LIVE IN A DESERT! NOTHING GROWS OUT HERE!". We still fire off an occasional "Oh OOHHHHHHHHHHHH!" for no good reason when we see something that provides us with proper motivation. He was one of a kind. He was a legend. He is truly missed.

Thanks Sam.

Sam Kinison was more than comedy, he was always a very loud voice of reason during bad times. He was also the Rock N' Roll comedian. I first bought his Louder Than Hell tape 16 years ago. I thought it was a rock tape, much in the vain of Guns N Roses or Motley Crue with interesting songs, because that's how he looked. If you would have told me it was stand up comedy I never would have bought it. I listened to it, and I laughed and laughed. I bought everything else Sam I could get my hands on. With the exception of Brother Sam, only because I could never find it. Thanks to Amazon I now own it. The book is great. Although there are no surprises. I always understood Sam, and in my view he lived his life in the open, for better or worse. I admire the fact that Bill didn't try to make Sam's life seem rosy, as is the case with many celebrities after they die. Bill did what Sam would have wanted, just laid his life on the line as it really was. It also has a lot of Rock N' Roll references so it is a trip back in time in that regard as well. Sam took no prisoners. He held no cow sacred. He offended every side equally. All while being a former minister. Most importantly he laughed in the face of tragedy. The best comedy always comes from pain, and Sam made that pain not only bearable but fun. I just wish Sam was alive today. There would be laughter in things we have forgotten how to laugh at. Sam touched it all. So while it is considered un American to laugh at the hypocritical self righteousness of our leaders today, I can always read this book, and listen to the voice of Sam (alot of his material is printed in here.) laugh, and remember the guy who gave comedy and the world a shot in the arm.

Sam Kinison's comedy was hard to understand -- if life had never kicked you in the crotch. I couldn't stand the guy, and I didn't think he was funny, until I myself hit some of the same lows he described in his over-the-top routines. This book evenhandedly describes the often sad, heartbreaking life of a very funny man. We miss ya, Sam.

An interesting tale of how a talented musician struggled to become the best rock artist the world has ever seen. Accompanied by a lot of pictures from his career it's truly a beautiful book.

"On Tour" is the perfect complement/finisher to Marsh's "Two Hearts". It fills in the gaps through the Devils & Dust Tour. The verbage is light & the pictures vivid. Fan or not, it's worth the read. Nothing compares to seeing him live, but it follows the energy as well as it can.

Bought book as a christmas present for my boss who is a Springsteen Fan. He is going to put it on his coffee table with his other favorite rock star books. Great pics....

Dave Marsh is not what you'd call an unbiased journalist. Nor should he be. He is basically the official Springsteen biographer, and his previous books have documented his rise (the first book), then his popular explosion (his second book), which have been collated in the terrific "Two Hearts".
Here, he provides a tour-by-tour analysis/memoir/scrapbook of the career of Bruce Springsteen.

I am a huge Springsteen fan. Just huge. I devoured this book and begged for more.

There are literally hundreds of killer little details that will delight anyone who has seen a Springsteen show. If this book is given to a Springsteen fan who by chance has not yet seen him live, it will make them want to donate a kidney to do so.

The most frequent comments I internally made while reading this tome were "I wish I was there", or " I wish that would come out on CD or DVD", or "That must have been amazing" and usually ending with " I must find a way to get tickets to his next concert!"

No other musician could have a book like this. Many of his beloved onstage stories are reproduced here. Accounts of particularly historic shows (The Bottom Line, The Roxy, Nassau, the Coliseum), guest performers (Ronnie Spector, his mom requesting an encore)...the way he went from band tours to solo shows...

Bottom line (no pun intended) is that this is a mandatory purchase for any Bruce fan!

Purchased as a gift for an all time super fan of Springsteen. He loved the book. A must have for any Springsteen fan.

We were visiting a museum one day and one of their interactive rooms had this book. It is like the old stereoscope viewers in that it shows the photos as if they were three dimensional.
The book has a built in double magnifying glass (the glasses are part of the cover that folds out for use). Each page has two pictures of the same insect. If you hold the book at a 90 degree angle, and look through the "glasses" the photos become three dimensional (and very close up!). You can see the hairs on the leg of a fly. It sound creepy but it is very interesting!
Using this book gives you the benefit of looking at these insects very close up without having to actually have them in front of you and moving. The photos are beautifully done and very colorful. The text that accompanies each bug is educational.
I would highly recommend this book as well as any others in this series by Mark Blum. I plan on buying a few more.

This is a fabulous book for insect and photography enthusiasts alike. The 3-D effect is so real it is like the bugs are sitting on your nose! My 14-year-old nephew likes the book and so do my adult friends. All of Blum's 3-D books are highly recommended.

BUGS in 3-D

I highly recommended this book for school children and adults alike.

I was introduced to one of Blum's books by a friend and liked it so much that I sought out and bought all of his 3D books. I find the price so reasonable that I've since bought more to give as gifts.

I enjoy looking at the 3-D photos as much as my seven year old son so I already know several adults as well as children who will be getting this book as a gift.

The technical quality of the photos and printing of the books is very good. A magnifying, stereo viewer is built into a unique bi-fold cover of the book A little research showed that this idea is well over a hundred years old (like stereo photography) but I still find it very innovative because it is so rare and unusual.

The photographer has an inspired eye and top technical skill. The macro photography is amazing. If you buy this book hold it high with your head back when you look at the close-up of the Zebra Tarantula (plate 4). It will freak you out like your about to be eaten! Then go to plate 40 and look at the beautiful butterfly.

The writing accompanying each image adds to the photos with just the right amount of scientific and general information to serve both young and old reader. I like this book very much and I hope you find this review helpful. I recommend looking for the other 3-D books by Blum. They are all great!

This is a wonderful book. Well designed, with fine viewer and sharp photos. A real bargain for the price. I'll need to collect the whole series. If you are familiar with stereo photography, this is a must have. If you think 3-D means added shadowing, this is a must have.

Mark Blum is clearly a very talented and skillful nature photographer! His books, including BUGS IN 3-D, are all FABULOUS! I can't recommend this book highly enough!

In BUGS IN 3-D, you will be shrunk to the size of a grasshopper, taken off to exotic forests, and introduced face-to-face to some really amazing insects! It is just like entering their world! INCREDIBLE!

The photography is exquisite!
The 3-D stereo effect is remarkable!
The subject is fascinating!
The price is bargain!
There are NO negatives about this book!
Children, parents, science students, naturalists; I can't think of anybody who won't love this book!

BUY IT!!